Hang CFL horizontally

Hi everyone ,just looking for some quick advice please...


As my space is limited ,(mini box 35x35x60 cm high) ,I decided to use a single CFL (125w ) ,and place it horizontally ,at the top.I use one of those mini homebox ,-like a mini tent for clones ,mylar-coated.



In the past ,I have succesfully used 3 or 4 individual CFL ,at 40w or 26w .......they were hanging down ,each bulb had its own wire.I already grew 2 Betty Boo's ,one per grow.



The thing is ,due to the lack of height ,I always had to move the bulbs around ,as the plant grew.

Now I want to use a 150w spiral cfl ,ultra short ,from glass tip to end of socket makes 15 inches.I placed it diagonally and horizontally at the top ,because the side of my tent is only 13 inch or 35 cm.

.I fixed the socket with zip ties at one upper corner ,as high as the CFL ballast allowed it as not to touch the top side of the tent.Luckily ,when placed in diagonal ,the bulb ballast sits right under the upper exaust....
Now for the part which makes me unsure.....

Because of its weight , the bulb can't be supported horizontally only by the fixed socket ,I used a U-shaped metal piece of a coat hanger to hook the bulb ,from the glass spiral very tip ,near the other upper corner.
I won't be bringing the light up or down ,I will use books to raise the pot near the light.

Is this safe ,or do I risk breaking the bulb if the metal hook gets hot from being in constant contact with the glass part? I know CFL don't get that hot ,but I never had a 150w one.Has anyone done this kind of bulb support?

I'd say you're fine, as long as the metal heats/cools at the same rate as the glass, which it will, you won't have issues. It's the shock of cold hitting hot that usually shatters glass, quick temperature changes. A piece of silicone tubing( can be found at most drug stores/med supply places) could be slipped over the metal wire as a cushion and not be effected by heat( up too 400deg i believe..) if you are worried about metal on glass. I don't know how hot those bulbs get but a piece of air tubing might hold up too..

WeedFreak78 said:

I'd say you're fine, as long as the metal heats/cools at the same rate as the glass, which it will, you won't have issues. It's the shock of cold hitting hot that usually shatters glass, quick temperature changes. A piece of silicone tubing( can be found at most drug stores/med supply places) could be slipped over the metal wire as a cushion and not be effected by heat( up too 400deg i believe..) if you are worried about metal on glass. I don't know how hot those bulbs get but a piece of air tubing might hold up too..

Click to expand...

My bulb is in 2700 k ,I expect it to get a bit hotter than the 6500 k in the same wattage.-150w

In order to test my 2700 k , in the shop before buying it ,the vendor allowed me to remove a 6500k ,same wattage version from one of the display tents ,and switch it with mine.
I unscrewed it by manipulating the glass side ,without too much force and did not burn my fingers.I know NEVER to do that with a CFL ,but I did it that time only ,on purpose ,just to test it heat=wise.The seller wasn't looking ,so I got away with it

Now when you say silicone tubing........I have some sort of tube which came from an aquarium air pump....airline tubing ,I think it's called......are those the ones made out of silicone?

meenigrow said:

My bulb is in 2700 k ,I expect it to get a bit hotter than the 6500 k in the same wattage.-150w

In order to test my 2700 k , in the shop before buying it ,the vendor allowed me to remove a 6500k ,same wattage version from one of the display tents ,and switch it with mine.
I unscrewed it by manipulating the glass side ,without too much force and did not burn my fingers.I know NEVER to do that with a CFL ,but I did it that time only ,on purpose ,just to test it heat=wise.The seller wasn't looking ,so I got away with it

Now when you say silicone tubing........I have some sort of tube which came from an aquarium air pump....airline tubing ,I think it's called......are those the ones made out of silicone?

Click to expand...

No, air line is usually something like vinyl or a poly-type plastic. That might work..I don't know what the melting point is of it though. I think you'll be fine the way it is as if you don't plan on moving the light much and are careful.

Silly previous post of mine ,a normal reply would be "why didn't you just touch the bulb to see how hot and then unscrewed it normally?"

As not to be perceived like a complete idiot ,I mention that the specific tent with the CFL ,was placed on top of other high tents with MH and HPS running.Bulb was untouchable from the ground ,I had to use the vendor's chair to reach it ,while he was busy with other customers.I forced the bulb loose by handling the ballast and rather supporting it from its glass.Never force a CFL out of its socket ,but I imagine most people know that.
Boy ,am I chatty today.....There must be people with more important concerns than my silly bulb ,waiting for an answer ....Sorry guys.......before completely closing this topic ,thank you very much for your help!! ,